Automobile-top patch.



. THOMPSON.

AUTOMOBILE TOP PMCH.

APPLICATION FILED AuG.9. i9l6.

Patented J an. 9, 191?.

1,21 EfiQQD HEY C. THOMPSON, OF TFOBiD, CCNNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THEHALL- THOMPSON COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF comnc'rrcur.

To'all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY C. THoMPsoN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomobile-Top Patches, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relatesto what I shall for convenience term an automobiletop patch. While the article in question is especially adapted for useby automobilists for which reason the title selected has been given, itis of equal utility in other connections, for instance for effectingrepairs in tops of carriages and other vehicles.

. Fig. 3 is a transverse section onfa It is a matter of fact that smallholes are burned, chafed and otherwise formed in the mohair cloth orpantasote tops of automobiles. At the resent time to put such tops inproper con sary to entirely replace the fabric and at others to remove apanel and substitute for it a new one. I provide means of a simplenature which can'be readily, uickly and easily applied to cover these hoes in such manner that they will be permanently closed and therepairsunnoticed, the top wlth such patch or patches being practically as goodas in its original condition. The patch is of such character that itdoes not require the aid of an expert to apply it.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present:specification I- have shown in detail one of the many convenient formsof structural embodiment of the in-. vention which I will set forthindetail in the following description. I do not restrict myself to thisprecise disclosure; I maydepart therefrom in several respects within thescope of the invention defined by the claim following said description.It is a matter of fact that I only show one kind of structure, but it ismade in different shapes. I might observe that the shape under ordinaryconditions is not a matter of great importance. 7

Referring to said drawings: .igure 1 is a face view of a patchinvolvingthe invention. Fig. 2 is a rear view of the same with the protectivestrip partly removed. larger scale onthe line 3-3 of Fig. 1. Fige isSpecification of Letters Iatent.

ition, it is sometimes" neces-' AUromomLE-ror PATCH.

9. view corresponding to Fig. 1 of a patch of another shape.

The patch preferably involves in its makeup a body or base member ofsuitable fabric, mohair, pantasote and leather. being well adapted forthe purpose. This patch or body member of mohair or other desiredmaterial is preferably provided on its applying face with .a suitableadhesive, one kind of which will be hereinafter mentioned; On theadhesive face of the body or patchin member is applied a protective partwhich may be of any suitable material such for instance asmuslin. Withthe foregoing general observations I will first refer in detail toFigs.1, 2 and 3. The patch shown in these views is in the form of anelongated, practically rectangular strip 2 of composite construction.Said strip 2" as represented comprises in its make-up a base, body orpatching member as 3 which as I have already noted is of some suitablefabric. This flexible body or patching member is imperforate throughoutits entire extent, although this may not always be necessary. It iscertainly desirable, however, that-that part of the body or patchingmember which is used for repairing should be of this nature. This bodyhas applied to it a suitable adhesive as 4, the adhesive covering theentire back face of the body and constituting the agent by which thepatching member can be united with a top or similar part to permanentlycover and thus repair a rent or openingtherein. Connected with thecoated or cemented face of the body or patching member is a protectivepart as thestrip 5. As I have already remarked this strip 5- ma be ofmuslin or holland which are mere y two of several materials suitable forthe purpose. The protective piece or cover 5 as shown is coextensivewith the coated surfaceof the body or patching member, the two membersbeing united by pressure or otherwise to produce the composite orlaminated strip.

The adhesive which I prefer to employ is of a highly advantageous type,being selfvulcanizable by natural heat as distinguished from artificialheat; obviously the suns rays best answer in this connection.

aimed rub- Patented Jan. 9, 191?. Application filed August 9, 1916.Serial No. 114,033.

' ber; it'is mixed with the necessary sulfur and other agents requisiteto insure vulcanization. Said pure rubber in sheet form is compressed onthe backing or patch member as 3 and impregnates or is incorporated intothe pores or interstices of the backing or patching member, theconsequence being that the two are/interlocked. After they areassociated by pressure the protective cover or piece 5 is applied.

The strip can be carried in a box or in the kit of an automobilist. Itwill be supposed that there is a' hole to be repaired. In

- this is accomplished the coating 4 is placed on the fabric of thecover around the hole to be repaired and pressed firmly against thecover or top by the fingers or otherwise. By

- using the pure rubber gum I- find that the patch can be permanentlyheld in place by being naturally vulcanized as I term the process as bythe suns rays as already observed. Natural heat as will be. clearwithout, the sun can be utilized.

While as I have stated the patching member may be of any one of severalmaterials, mohair best answers this purpose, because the soft rubber gumcan be so intimately associated with it as to make a joint of maximumstrength.

In Fig. 4 the patch 6 is constructed and used exactly as hereinbeforedescribed, the only difierence. as will be clear, being one of shape.This patch 6 is in the form of a plicated disk comprising a body orpatching member provided-with a pure rubber gum adhering thereto and theprotective coating, all as already set forth.

What I claim is: l

An automobile top repair patch compris ing a mohair body provided on oneside with an adhesive in the form of a rubber gum vulcanizable bynatural heat, the rubber gum being compressed into the mohair body.

In testimony whereof I' affix my signature in the presence of twowitnesses.

HENRY C. THOMPSON.

Witnesses: I HEATH SUTHERLAND, L. CHERMAK.

